Helanthium Bolivianum Vitro Culture

A carpet that spreads itself, without CO₂. Helanthium bolivianum — Chain Sword — sends runners across the substrate and drops new plantlets along them, building a grassy mat from a handful of starters. It carpets in conditions where hairgrass sulks and Dwarf Baby Tears fails, which is what makes it the sensible first carpet. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® (tissue culture) format.

What You'll Receive

Sold as tissue culture plants in a sealed 4-inch bag:

• Bag Size: Approx. 4 inches
• Contents: Multiple small plantlets in nutrient-rich liquid/gel
• Growth Method: Vitro Culture — ideal for a sterile, pest-free introduction to your tank

Plant Profile

• Common name — Chain Sword
• Scientific name — Helanthium bolivianum
• Also known as — Echinodorus bolivianum, Echinodorus magdalenensis, Bolivian Sword
• Origin — South America
• Placement — Foreground to midground
• Shipped size — 4-inch bag of small plantlets
• Mature height — 6–12 in
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Fast

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Medium. Light reaching the substrate is what keeps it low
• CO₂ — Not required. It carpets without injection, just more slowly
• Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5
• Substrate — Required. Root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed in paludariums
• Propagation — Runners; separate daughter plants once rooted

Grower's Notes

• It is a Helanthium, not an Echinodorus. The old name causes real confusion: Echinodorus are large rosette centerpieces, Helanthium are small carpeting runners. Read our Helanthium care guide, not the sword guide.
• Height depends on light. Under strong light reaching the substrate it stays short and carpets; shaded by taller plants it stretches toward 12 inches and becomes a midground clump instead. Both are healthy — you are choosing with your lighting.
• Feed at the roots. Runner production slows noticeably without root tabs or a nutrient substrate.
• Rinse the gel off, separate into small plugs and plant them an inch or two apart. Runners close the gaps far faster than one clump spreads outward.
• Some transition melt after planting is normal as it converts from lab growth. The runners start once that settles.

Notes

• Images shown are sample representations. Actual plants may vary slightly in appearance depending on environmental conditions. While tissue culture plants are cultivated in sterile environments, no specific guarantees are made regarding growth form (submersed or emersed) upon arrival.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.